Council approves amendment to Vintage (Harborbrook) development with conditions on nonresidential uses

Smyrna Town Council voted to approve an amendment to the existing PRD (planned residential development) now recast as a PUD (planned unit development) for a roughly 91.7‑acre property north of Genie Lane along Old Nashville Highway, Needam Drive and White Birch Avenue.

Planner Kevin told the council the change keeps the previously approved overall layout, architectural requirements and density but allows up to 10 office suites per phase, reduces minimum building separation from 30 feet to 20 feet, and transfers ownership and maintenance of the project’s common park to the town rather than an owners association. Nonresidential uses in phase one would be limited and integrated within largely residential floors; phases two through four would restrict nonresidential uses to first‑floor common areas (mail rooms, fitness, etc.) to reduce non‑resident traffic. Planning staff said access to many nonresidential spaces would be limited by keycard/badge access.

“Phases two, three and four are being required to keep commercial uses on the first floor and limit public traffic,” Kevin said. He also described four standard conditions recommended by staff and the planning commission: required life‑safety upgrades for office spaces, an occupancy inspection before rental or occupation, written approval from the state fire marshal for phase one (staff said that approval has been received), and agreements for owners to maintain landscaping in the public right‑of‑way where there will be no association.

Tommy Francis and several housing authority executive staff were present for earlier recognitions but did not participate in the zoning discussion. Planning commission members said the applicant had incorporated prior feedback, including secure/badge access and restricting nonresidential traffic. No members of the public spoke at the hearing.

Council moved and approved the amendment on a voice vote after discussion focused on mapping and zoning labels; staff committed to include a deliverable timeline for construction documents in the contract amendment that council discussed earlier in the meeting. Council did not record a roll‑call tally in the meeting minutes; motions were approved by voice vote as recorded on the public record.

Why it matters: The amendment allows a mixed‑use configuration intended to provide neighborhood services while keeping most commercial traffic limited and secured, and it shifts some long‑term maintenance responsibilities to the town. Conditions attached by staff aim to ensure fire and life‑safety compliance before any nonresidential occupancy.

Next steps: The applicant will proceed under the conditions approved by council; staff will monitor the items required by the life‑safety and occupancy conditions and the town will execute the maintenance agreements described by staff.